KC Week in Review Special Edition: The Medicaid Gap

KC Week in Review Special Edition: The Medicaid Gap

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Kansas City Week in Review connects the dots this Friday, January 10 at 7:30 pm on one of the most important issues playing out in both Topeka and Jefferson City as they launch their legislative sessions this week: The Medicaid Gap. These are the people living below the poverty level, yet ineligible to qualify for free health care under the state’s Medicaid program and too poor to pay for subsidized plans under the Affordable Care Act. There are 85,000 people in the gap in Kansas, 193,000 in Missouri.

KCPT special correspondent Sam Zeff has an in-depth report, and as part of our ongoing reporting partnership with KHI News Service, we’re joined in the studio by KHI Executive Editor Jim McLean.

Efforts continue to expand Medicaid in Kansas and Missouri

Advocates in each state taking similar tacks in hopes of coaxing reluctant Republican policymakers

By Phil Cauthon, Jim McLean and Mike Sherry

KHI News Service

TOPEKA — The political dynamics are a bit different in Kansas than in Missouri, but in both states supporters of expanded Medicaid programs are taking the same tack in hopes of persuading reluctant Republican policymakers to eliminate the so-called “Medicaid gap” that is leaving more than 340,000 low-income Kansans and Missourians without health insurance.

Kansas and Missouri are among the 24 states that so far have chosen against broadening the program, despite entreaties from hospitals, doctors, consumer advocates and others.

Kansas, led by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and a GOP-dominated Legislature, is expected to reconsider the issue in the weeks ahead.

In Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, has been urging the Republican-controlled General Assembly to do the same.

In this package of stories, KHI News Service looks at the latest developments in each state as their legislatures prepare to convene 2014 sessions.

Also included are profiles of families in each state that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid as it is currently configured, but too little for the subsidies intended to help people (earning between 100 percent and 400 percent of federal poverty guidelines) buy private health coverage through the new marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act.

Also on this week’s KCWIR…

Your Annual Handy-Dandy Guide to the Upcoming Legislative Sessions in Kansas and Missouri

Missouri lawmakers returned to Jefferson City on Wednesday. Kansas state lawmakers return to Topeka on Monday. We track the top 5 issues you need to keep an eye on in both state capitals.

Kansas welfare rolls shrink by half

A new report reveals that the number of Kansans on welfare has plummeted to an average of 18,844 a month. That’s less than half the 38,963 a month when Governor Sam Brownback took office at the start of 2011. Have they all found new jobs or is something else at play?

Macy’s to close at Metcalf South

The end of an era for the Overland Park based shopping mall. Eighty-eight local jobs will be lost. Macy’s plans to close its Metcalf South Mall location along with four other stores across the U.S. as part of a cost reduction program. A clearance sale at the Overland Park department store starts Monday.

Spanish Streetcars

Why critics of Kansas City’s new streetcar line are incensed that city officials are heading to Spain on a tax funded trip to see how streetcars are working there.

New $17.5 million housing complex for KU Basketball players

It’s a front page story that’s raising eyebrows this week. But university athletic officials are adamant they need this to recruit top players. But are students and taxpayers being fouled in the process?

Laying to rest R. Crosby Kemper, Jr.

Around 900 people attended a public service for the prominent banker, civic leader and philanthropist before a private burial on Thursday. Though the 6-foot-7 Kemper was physically imposing, he was remembered for his caring side. We discovered his soft side during his last interview on KCPT in 2006 when he burst into song while interacting with a viewer on our Talkback Live program…

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